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Mall of America

30 Years of Evolving Retail

Client

Triple 5

Services

Architecture, interiors, environmental graphic design

Program

Hospitality, retail, entertainment, water park, workplace

Size

Over 1 million SF

Mall of America opened its doors in 1992 and, 30 years later, the original vision of a dynamic retail center has risen to new heights. Planned on the land where the Metropolitan Stadium once stood, Triple 5 development built a mixed-use magnet consisting of retail, a JW Marriott hotel, Class A office building, and an indoor water park.

DLR Group has a very strong 'team player' attitude and is always there with a proactive problem-solving approach … They proved to be a driving force in the overall goals of the project including staying within budget and keeping the project on schedule.”

Kurt Hagen SVP Development, Triple 5 Worldwide
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A Strategic 30-Year Partnership

The Mall of America is the largest retail and entertainment complex in the United States, encompassing 5.6 million SF of gross building area.

We have partnered with the Mall of America to master plan and design various phases of expansion over its 30-year history.

The mall welcomes 43 million annual visitors.

There have been four major expansion phases since opening.

The East Street renovation, anchored by Sears to the north and Bloomingdales to the south, was the second of the mall's four defined circulation streets to be renovated.

The West Street remodel lasted over six years and was completed in 2018.

Every major public area and amenity was reimagined during the renovation. Each street has a distinct character that also works to seamlessly support the mall's overall vision.

Phase IC includes a three-story retail expansion of more than 300,00 SF, including a prominently placed restaurant and food hall along the grand atrium of the new Central Parkway.

Phase IC also includes the design of the JW Marriott - a 303,000-SF, 15-story, 342-room luxury hotel.

The next phase of work is a 7-acre theme park, including the MOA water park.

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Mall of America + DLR Group

For more than 30 years, DLR Group has shaped the experience for visitors and guests at Mall of America.



Mall of America + DLR Group

01
Statistics

Mall of America at a Glance

Through the years, Mall of America has been a beacon of the retail revolution sweeping the industry. DLR Group and Triple 5 Development created a mixed-use magnet that exemplifies an energetic customer experience and market resilience. A $650 million price tag for the initial phase of construction in 1992 has seen more than four major expansion phases since opening. More than 43 million annual visitors have walked 5.6 million SF of gross building area to shop over 520 retail stores. Up next in the pipeline is 7 acres of theme park, including the MOA water park.

02
Revolutionizing Retail

Modernizing an Icon

Over the past 30 years, Mall of America has evolved with the preferences of its visitors. With four primary expansion phases, every major public and private amenity was upgraded and reimagined during the renovation. Additionally, each street was given a distinct character that works to seamlessly support MOA’s overall vision.

Slide to compare the before and after views.

03
Partnership

Teaming to Create a Memorable Destination

Since opening its doors, DLR Group and Mall of America have been working to create a destination that leaves a lasting legacy. Our partnership spans from 1990 to today, and has been seen through all phases of design and construction, 20+ strategic master plan studies for investors, developers, partners, infrastructure, and expansion, and dozens of designs for retail shops. Our work on the JW Marriott at Mall of America brings a new level of sophistication to the Minneapolis hospitality market. This luxury hotel features elegantly curated experiences, stripping away the unnecessary to reveal exceptional hospitality design. We have provided integrated sector expertise including retail, entertainment, hotel, workplace, parking, transportation, and master planning.

Slide to compare the before and after views.

Looking to the Future

As the retail industry continues to evolve into the digital age, MOA has worked to diversify with entertainment and restaurants. A large indoor water park has been in the plans since the mall’s conception in the 1980s, and is finally becoming a reality. The water park will be one of the largest in North America with a building footprint of approximately 350,000 SF. The MOA water park will add to the vibrancy and resiliency of the mall, and serve as an amenity to local residents.

Aerial view of indoor waterpark with arching skylights over roof. Blue and green water slides curl out sides of grey building
Aerial view of indoor waterpark with arching skylights over roof. Blue and green water slides curl out sides of grey building
Rendering of waterpark interior. Lounge chairs sit in front of pool surrounded by plants with zipline and skylight overhead
Walkway with glass bannister looks out over waterpark with plant lined walls and water slides at far end
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Event

Kaleidoscope

Video © Mall of America View on Instagram
April 5, 2023

The smallest changes can truly have the biggest impact. From artist Christopher Lutter-Gardella, Mall of America's "Kaleidoscope" exhibit shares the critical story of the decline of pollinators. The centerpiece? A 30-foot Monarch butterfly suspended overhead in design phase 1C, surrounded by more than 300 smaller butterflies, all created from recycled waste materials.

Plan your trip

Legacy

30 Years with the Mall of America

30 Years of Evolving Retail Bloomington, MN

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Keeping Nostalgia and Entertainment Alive

August 15, 2022

The history of the mall concept has two timelines – before the Mall of America and after. Our partnership has been seen through all phases of design and construction, 20+ strategic master plan studies for investors, developers, partners, infrastructure, and expansion, and dozens of designs for retail shops.

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Honors + Recognitions

2016 Top Hotels in America's Midwest: Readers' Choice Awards

Conde Nast Traveler

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2017 Best of Business Readers' Choice Award: Hotel for Business

Twin Cities Business

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2016 STARRSM Award for Excellence

Minnesota Shopping Center Association

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